South Carolina!

 It was a really quick flight from Atlanta to Augusta, in fact we were up and then down! Unfortunately we then sat on the tarmac for about 30 minutes waiting for a plane to leave our slot - bet that doesn't happen when the Masters Golf tournament is on!!!!

Justin was outside waiting for me and about 40 minutes later we arrived at the Bryan abode! The area is so different from Chicago with wide open spaces and few buildings, very rural. It was lovely to see Ivy and Benny and my first cuddles were lovely! They have grown up so much!

 I did get a shock when I saw Rooster the dog - he is huge and he gave me a fright we I got close - the mean growl didn't help! Luckily after a few sniffs and licks of my hand he must have remember that I took him for a few walks last year and he's been fine. 

The property is huge with lots of trees and open land. We even saw an armadillo in the garden. Lauren has some vegetables growing with tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers doing well. The swimming pool is a real plus in this heat!

The house is very large inside and Ivy and Benny have huge spaces in their bedrooms for all their toys. The netted sunroom is very pleasant as it's shady and spacious - sometimes the AC inside feels a bit too cool but it's great at night.

I am the 'pool attendant' and playmate at least twice a day but they do gang up on me and I'm always the target for splashing! They are real water babies! I think the swimming is helping my wrist get stronger although it still aches at times.

On Saturday I went to watch Ivy at her horse riding lesson. She has come on so much since last year and was even doing some low jumps. She just loves horses!

Yesterday was so hot at around 32 -37C so you can guess where we were.

Made it to the USA!

 My day started well - the underground and Heathrow Express were on time and not packed with the people - but then I got to Terminal 5 (British Airways) and it was chaos! I hadn't been able to book in on line and then, with very few staff to help all the technology was playing up! Groups of us were move from one spot to another with no clear idea of what was going on! There must have been a lot of flights cancelled the previous day because many people were trying to get new flights! Finally a member of staff came over and started booking us in, finally! I then had to go to another section to check in my bag - as you do this yourself I was hoping I'd attached the label correctly and that my bag and I would meet again!!!

Forget the suggestion to get to the airport 2-3 hours before - Terminal 5 make it 4 hours!

It was another hot day and the airport obviously couldn't cope! Flights into Europe were being delayed but up to six hours in some cases - there were constant delay announcements coming over the speakers! Boarding for my flight did not go ahead at the time started and you could see people getting twitchy! The heat didn't help!

Finally we started boarding and I can honestly say I thought I was going to be flying in the toilet - my seat was the last row at the back! We all got settled in and were ready to go when it was announced by the captain that we were all going to have to get off as there was a battery problem and that lighting and aircon would be turned off! I think there were a couple of people ready to deploy the emergency slide and get off - staff calmed them down!

Luckily the problem was fixed without us getting off although the temperature did start to rise - water was quickly handed out to us! Finally we were on our way and we did catch up some of the delayed time. Atlanta airport was far easier to get through than Chicago! I was a little surprised that I didn't have to go through the rigmarole of the fingerprints - you just get your photo taken! I reached my hotel by 10:15pm - although English time was 3:15 am!

It been a strange day, weather wise. One minute it's blue sky and sunshine then torrential rain with thunder and lightening - it has carried on like this all day!

As I walked outside the hotel this morning a trolley bus tour was about to depart so I joined it! Atlanta is were Martin Luther King was born and we passed a number of place which related to him. Atlanta is also where Coca cola 'started' its life! The city is very spread out so many of its districts are not easy to walk to.

My hotel is directly opposite the Georgia Aquarium and short walk away is Coca Cola World, which of course I visited. There was a lot of history and memorabilia there but the best part was the tasting session! You had the chance to taste Coca Cola products from around the world! The one from China tasted like barbecue sauce but the most disgusting was from Italy (apologies to my Italian friend!) - don't know what it was but it wasn't drinkable!

I then headed to the National Centre for Civil and Human Rights. Quite an amazing place with it's history not only of the civil rights here in America but the struggle for human rights around the world. It was a place for quiet reflection although a number of, I assume Summer Camp students, didn't seem to appreciate their own history!

I'm now getting ready to head to the airport - wish there was a train! - for my flight, one hour, to catch up with Justin and co.

London.

 It was sad to say "Goodbye" to Kerrie, Jake and John on Friday as I headed to London for my last few days in England. 😢

I am staying in the same hotel I stayed in last year. I am a stones throw away from Trafalgar  Square, Covent garden, the Thames, the Portrait gallery and about 10 minutes walk from all the theatres. Restaurants abound locally. Luckily the hotel rooms have air con!

As I arrived mid afternoon an early meal was needed as I was off to the theatre. The Italian restaurant from last year was the place to go - it was just the same! I then tried to follow the map on my phone to get to the theatre and after a few false starts I made it!! I saw 'Ain't too proud' - it's the story of the Temptations - one of my favourite Motown groups! It was fabulous! The actors had the most amazing singing voices - we were all tapping our feet. 

Saturday morning I headed out to Oxford Street - I needed my Marks & Sparks bacon roll for breakfast! I had a good look around the store hoping to get an additional pair of swimmers - couldn't believe it, there just a few available on an end of stock rack! Are they preparing for winter stock?  I know the temperature was up to 30C but really! 

It was strange to see Oxford Street so quiet - I remember the old days when you could hardly walk down it for people!! 

 Oxford Street!

I did a bit of wandering before heading to see the 'Sky Garden' - it is London's highest public garden and boasts of spectacular views across the city. I managed to get to the Sky Garden but, although free, didn't realise that I  needed to get a ticket online! There were many disappointed people like myself - next time! I think you need to book three weeks in advance!

London was heaving with people on Saturday night - a free concert in Trafalga Square probably added to the numbers! Getting a seat in a restaurant was impossible! I had to rely on bits of food from the supermarket! Pubs were full and patrons were spilling out onto the pavements, allowable here! Everyone was having a good time and there was no trouble!

Sunday was another hot day so I headed out to the Victoria & Albert museum in South Kensington. I went to the 'Hallyu! The Korean Wave' exhibition. It was a showcase of the popular culture of South Korea and it's influence on a number of creative industries e.g. beauty, fashion, cinema, music. Very interesting!

In the garden of the V&A kids were enjoying the weather!

When I'd had enough of the V&A I headed along to the science museum. On the third floor there were simulators allowing participants the chance to feel what it is like to be one of the RAF Red Arrows team. A couple of late teen lads swaggered over to the simulator, got strapped in, the 'pod' lid closed and the ride began. Suddenly you could hear yelps of fear coming from the pod! I could hardly stop myself from crying out loud with laughter - mind you I wouldn't  have gone in even if I'd been paid! - the lads came out of the 'pod' looking rather pale!

Yesterday, Monday,  I walked down the Mall and saw the changing of the guard. People may scoff about the Royal family but the pomp certainly brings in the tourists. One French tourist, I overheard said, " Tres majic" after the Household  Cavalry rode past!

I walked through some of the parkland before walking to Victoria station. I had a date with the 'Afternoon Tea Bus'!

 

This was a double decker bus which goes around the major sights while you enjoy afternoon tea!

 

It was a very pleasant way to spend a very warm summer day. The tour lasted just over 90 minutes!

The weather was like the worst humid February day in Sydney!!! Every item of my clothing was soaked through and this is the middle of June in the UK!!! Thankgoodness for a cold shower and aircon! After a quick change I was out to the theatre to see 'Book of Mormon'. I found it really funny - loved the cast. I had a lady next to me, who I  think was European, who would occasionally ask me what certain words meant - hoot was one of them and so was rectum!

As I finish writing I will soon be heading to the airport for my flight to the USA. First stop Atlanta and then onto Justin and family on Thursday!

Dorset

 On Monday, following a day of lazing on the Sunday, was a walking day - we'll not the whole day! We drove to near Lulworth, on the Jurassic coast, and walked down a steep hill to Durdle Door - a natural limestone arch.  So spectacular!

Back up the hill and then a long decent into Lulworth. I was planning on how to roll if I did slip - no more broken wrists for me. I think the way down is worse when you're not feeling confident!

After a coffee stop we walked through the village down to the cove.

The beach isn't sandy, just pebbles! A school group came along complete with surveying poles, listened to a  quick talk about how the wave action caused the cave formations, then set off around the cove to do some surveying? The students didn't look overly keen and we weren't sure that a long flowing skirt was the right attire to be wearing!

We had some lunch and then started the long ascent back to the car. I had to keep checking out the scenery the higher we went - it had nothing to do with catching my breath but more to do with the view!😁 It was well worth the effort!

Tuesday saw us dropping Kerry at the railway station, she was off to visit an old friend, while we carried on to Studland Bay. Pulling up at the carpark another school group was gathered. We watched on with interest, joking that they didn't have surveying poles when out the poles came! Someone is making a lot of money out of surveying poles!

We wandered along the sand to a beachside cafe, where a coffee and cheese scone were the order of the day. We hired sunloungers and set up for another lazy day!

How lucky have we been with the weather!

 We left only footprints.

Heading back to the Midlands on Wednesday we stopped to visit Corfe Castle. This castle is part of the National Trust. It is a 1,000 year old castle shaped by warfare. It was built shortly after the Norman conquest of 1066! It has been a home for kings, knights and a princess.

 Once again the 'guinea pig'!

It was a really interesting place! Well worth a visit!

A long drive back to Jake's and it was back to reality. No more seagulls parting my hair to get at my fish and chips - there was a barbecue to prepare and strawberries to pick!